Wetlands, especially those at the headwaters and along the main branch of rivers and streams, store large amounts of water during rainy periods. This storage of flood waters reduces peak flows downstream, thereby reducing potential flood damage to downstream property owners. When wetlands and floodplains are filled and the flood storage capacity is lost, property, homes and businesses down stream, which were never flooded before may become subject to flooding.

To date, Massachusetts has lost nearly a third of its original natural wetlands acreage to agricultural, commercial, and residential development. The cost of this loss is may include degraded water quality; increased storm damage; depleted fish and wildlife and plant populations.

• skunk cabbage

• high bush blueberry

• purple loosestrife

• sensitive fern

• sweet pepperbush

To find out whether a particular site is classified as a wetland, you can get help from the Conservation Commission. Sometimes the identification of affected land becomes technical. Land that may appear to be dry may, in fact, be in a floodplain. When a peak storm arrives, that land may be under water. Floodplains are identified by elevation. The Commission maintains a set of floodplain maps; these can help you locate places on your property that may be subject to flooding. For an exact determination, a survey prepared by a licensed land surveyor is required.

• What Does the Commission Do?

The purpose of the Conservation Commission is to protect Wrentham’s wetland resource areas in accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) and the Wrentham Wetlands Protection ByLaw and supporting regulations. The Commission is the permitting authority specifically charged with the protection of wetland resource areas. The primary activity of the Commission is the administration of the State Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) (M.G.L. Chapter 131, Sec. 40). The Commission also engages in planning, helping to acquire and manage open space.

• Why should the Conservation Commission be allowed to decide what a private owner may do with wetlands on his own property?

In order to protect the rights of other private property owners who may be adversely affected, activities on private property which may pollute or damage wetland resources and impact communities elsewhere are often regulated by local, state or federal government in the interests of the general public.

• How can some of these houses be allowed to be built on lots that are mostly wetlands?

The approval of the Conservation Commission is not the only requirement for building in the Town of Wrentham. Their approval just relates to Resource Areas. If a lot has the required “upland” or dry area and meets minimum setbacks the property owner is allowed to build. Sometime variances are required allowing a reduction of these setbacks. These concerns are handled by the Planning Board. Once all of these items have been met the Building Department will issue a building permit and the work is allowed to proceed.

• When Should You Consult the Commission?

Anytime you plan to work within the 100-foot buffer zone of a Resource Area, or within the 200-foot buffer zone of any waterway, you must obtain the necessary permits from the Commission. When in doubt, our Commission Agent will be happy to consult with you and answer your questions. For detailed information please contact the office 508-384-5417. 

• When /Where Does the Commission Meet?

The Commission meets the second & fourth Thursdays of the month. Meetings are held in the Meeting Room on the second floor of the Town Hall 79 South Street.  Meetings begin at 7:30 PM.

• Who are these people?

The Conservation Commission is made up of Wrentham residents, appointed by the Board of Selectmen.  The Agent inspects wetland projects and is hired by the Commission. 

• How Do I Know if My Project is Regulated?

Contact the Conservation Commission Agent. Regulations issued under the state and local laws contain specific standards which may apply to your particular project. Your project must meet those standards to be approved. An “Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation” is required for approval of a wetland line on your property.

• When the Conservation Commission determines that the Wetlands Protection Act applies to a proposed project, what next?

You may file a “Request for Determination” for small projects in which no alteration of a wetland resource area is proposed. For larger, more complex or sensitive projects you must complete a Notice of Intent form and often require an engineered plan. Abutter notification is required as well as a fee payable to both the City and the DEP. A fee is required for a public hearing notice to be placed in the Sun Chronicle 5 days before the hearing for either filing.

Your project will be heard at a scheduled meeting by the Commission. After the hearing is closed, the Conservation Commission will issue an “Order of Conditions”, detailing how you must proceed with the project. This “Order of Conditions” must then be recorded at the Registry of Deeds. Proof of recording must be presented to the Conservation Commission office

• After an I have a final Order of Conditions, how much time do I have to finish the work?

Three years. Should work not be completed in that time the applicant may request an extension of up to 3 more years. The request must be presented to the Commission, noting reasons for the extension, before the original Order expires.

• The work is completed, now what?

You need to apply for a Certificate of Compliance. This is required to clear your title at the Registry of Deeds and close your file. You must fill out Form 8A and include an As-Built Plan and a letter from an Engineer that states your project is in compliance with your Order of Conditions. Certificates of Compliance are issued only at Public Meetings.

• What happens when a project is begun without complying with the Act?

The Conservation Commission may issue a “Cease & Desist” Enforcement Order which may include fines. In addition to stopping the work, the landowner may be required to correct the work which has been completed, even if it means putting the land back to its former condition.

What if my neighbor is doing work in or near the wetlands without approval of the Conservation Commission?

If you suspect that work is being done that should first be approved by the Conservation Commission you may call the Office 508-384-5417. We will then check to see if there are any filings for that property and also check our maps that help determine areas of concern. The Agent may then visit the site and take action as necessary.

For more information please contact the Conservation Commission or the DEP 20 Riverside Dr., Lakeville MA 02347 (508)946-2800.